Subjective and objective language examples

Chapter 2Subjective and Objective TestingSubjective tests are those whose scoring is affected by the personal judgments of the scorer. Scoring of an objective test cannot be affected by the personal judgment of the examiner. To answer a subjective test, the pupil has to use his own words and expressions; whereas to answer an objective test the pupil has to select his answer from among four or even more alternatives. The following table sums up the differences between subjective and objective tests :Language TestsObjectiveSubjective 1. difficult to design1. easy to design 2. difficult to score2. difficult to score3. suit a small number of testees3. suit a large number of testees4. can be used to test specific areas of language4. can be used to evaluate overall achievement5. can be scored by machines5. cannot be scored by machines6. require selection of the right answers6. require self'expression on the part of the testee7. require recognition more than production7. require recognition and production '١'
Techniques used in subjective tests :1. Composition writing2. Essay writing3. Completion type4. Answer – these – questions typeTechniques used in objective tests :1. Multiple – choice items2. Matching items3. True / False items4. Rearrangements items5. Transformation itemsObjective tests need much time and efforts to write since theexaminer has to provide the answers as well as the questions. To prepare a subjective test the examiner needs to write few questions without their answers. An objective test is reliable because it gives stable scores. A subjective test is not reliable because its scoring is highly affected by personal judgments of the scorers. Rarely can two scorers agree on a mark for a subjective item. Subjective tests are used to test ideas,culture,coherence and creativity while objective tests are used to test structures,vocabulary,reading comprehension and sound discrimination.Therefore,in language testing :1. Both objective and subjective tests are to be given according to the situation.2.Examiners should be provided with opportunities for continuous training in the writing up and scoring of both types.3.In oral tests we need two or more scorers whose scores are then to be used in deciding the final score obtained by the pupil. ' 2 '